Machine for applying protective coating to pipes



July 8, 1952 w. c. HAEL 2,602,415

MACHINE FOR APPLYING PROTECTIVE oATING To PIPES y 5 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Jan. 16, 1950 |NvENToR UAW/VE C'. Hna

au) M ATTO R N EYS.

w. c. HALL 2,602,415

MACHINE FOR APPLYING PROTECTIVE COATING TO PIPES July 8, 1952 y Filed Jan. 16 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 INVENTOR. 88@ am/NE c. Hna

8G 95 BY* c a \ATTORNEYS.

w. c. HALL 2,602,415

MACHINE FOR APPLYING PROTECTIVE COATING TO PIPES July 8, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed Jan. 16, 1950 L Nv MM M O W me w M A mm m Nm mm www Nm W M :11.1. 14 1 m? Om w ,/w. @v mv v mm mm wm m Nv www o om N. @N mm. Nm .vm QN. N mw mw .QN .QN N. WML@ :8WH IDT M July s, 1952 w. c. HALL 2,602,415

MACHINE FOR APPLYING PROTECTIVE COATING TO PIPES Filed Jan. 16, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 n f hwg INVENTOR. am/NE c. @qu

f M ATTORNEYS.

July 8, 1952 w. c. HALL 2,602,415

MACHINE FOR APPLYING PRoTEcTvE coATING To PIPEs Filed Jan. 1e, 195o 5 sheets-snee; 5

0m/NE c'. Hna' BY A // ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT ortica MACHINE FOR APPLYING PROTECTIVE COATING TO PIIES 21 Claims.

This invention relates to. apparatus for applying protective coating to` pipes and isA particularly directed to improvements. in a pipe wrapping machine.

The principal object of this invention is to provideapparatus for continuous wrapping of pipes which progress axially through theV machine so that no interruption occurs while a wrapped pipe is set aside and a bare pipe. is fed serially' into operative position.

Another object is to provide a device of this type for continuous wrapping of pipes-which operates automatically to omit the protective coating adjacent the ends of the pipes.

Another object is to provide a pipe wrappingl device employing a carriage having novel means for supporting the rearward end of one pipe and the forward end of another.

Another object is to provide a pipe wrapping device employing power driven roller units for supporting the pipe and moving it axially, one of the roller units being retractible to permit passage of the carriage.

Another object is to provide a pipe wrapping machine having roller units of this type, which units may be manipulated to change the angle of cant of the drive rollers and to change the spacing of the rollers to accommodate pipe of different sizes.

A further object is to provide a pipe wrapping machine' having a carriagey forl the forward end of. the wrapped pipe, whichcarriage is progressed at a slow' axial rate while` the wrappingtakes' place and at a faster rate'to bring thev wrapped pipe to a discharge position..

Other and more detailed objects and advantages will appear more fully hereinafter.

Inthe drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View showing details of a pipe wrapping machine embodying my'invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation partly broken away showing details of the mounting' of. the valve plate for shutting off coating material when desired.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on lthe lines 3 3 as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view partly in section showing details of construction of the intermediate carriage.

Figure 5 is a sectional end view taken substantially on the lines 5-5 as shown in. Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation' taken substantially on the lines 5-6 as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a plan view partly broken away of the apparatus shown in Figure'l.

Figure 8 is a plan view showing details of one of the power driven roller units.

Figure 9 is a side elevation thereof partly' broken away and partly in section. i

Figure 10 is an end elevation of the power` driven roller unit, certainA parts being section.

Figure 11 is aside elevation partly broken away showing details of the'retractible roller unit assembly.

Figure 12 isaperspective viewof the intermediate carriage.

Figure 13 is a perspective.y View of the power driven carriage for supporting the forward end` of the pipe being wrapped'.

Figure 14- is' a sectional end elevation taken substantially on the lines I 4.-I'l' as'viewed in' Figure '7.

Figures 15, 16 and 17- are; side elevations of the pipe wrapping device shown in diagrammatic form and illustratingthe sequence of operations as pipes-are passed serially in an axial direction through the coating and wrapping zone'.

Figure- 18- is a top plan view in diagrammatic form partly broken awayshowingA the position of the parts when a bare pipe is moved axially into position for support bythe intermediate carriage.

Figure. l9-is a' side elevation in diagrammatic form showing the parts in` they same position as" illustrated in Figure 18.

Referring to the drawings, pipe lengths are progressed*v serially in an axial direction fromY a supply rack I-Il on which bare pipe is stored to a storage rack II. This rack I I comprises two spacedv inclined supports which receive the ends of the. wrapped pipe. A series of power driven roller units I2 support each pipe length and'serve to rotate the pipe and cause it to move axially.

v As a bare pipe I3 moves axially-toward the coating and tarring zone generally designated lli, the forward end of the bare pipe Lrests on rollers provided on the intermediate carriage I5. The carriage I5 also has additional rollers supporting the rearward end of the pipe I6 which is passing `through the coating and wrapping Zone I4; The

spaced axially of the pipe. As the carriage I5 isV progressed along the rails I8 a valve plate I9 supported by the carriage I5 shuts olf the flow of the tar streams in a manner so that no tar isdeposited on the pipes I3 and I6 in the region immediately adjacent their abutting ends. The carriage I5 rolls across the tar pit and the valve plate I9 moves away from the orifices 26 and 2| from which the tar streams flow so that no interruption occurs as the coating operation is completed on one pipe and commenced on the next pipe.

Referring to the various features of construction of the device in more detail, the supply rack generally designated I0 may include parallel inclined supports 22 for bare pipes 23. Power operated transfer mechanism is provided for moving the pipes 23 from the rails to the power driven roller units I2. As shown in the drawings this transfer mechanism may include levers 24 pivoted to the rails 22 and operated by power cylinder assemblies 25. When the pipe has been transferred from the storage rack I0 to the power driven roller units I2 it is rotated by the roller units and fed axially toward the coating zone I4. As clearly shown in Figures 7 to 10 each of these roller units I2 includes a pair of rollers 26.

26 to be moved toward or away from each other to accommodate pipes of various diameters.

The head 3| is provided with a downwardly extending cylinder 43 having a flange 44 which is fixed to the head 3|. The cylinder 43 is turnably mounted within a bore 45 provided on the base structure 46. The central vertical drive shaft 41 carries the bevel gear 36 on its upper end and is mounted in axially spaced bearings 48 and 49 mounted on the cylinder 43 and head 3| respectively. A bevel gear 56 is fixed on the lower end of the shaft 41 and meshes with a Each of the rollers is fixed on a shaft 21 rotatably l mounted in spaced bearings 28. The bearings 28 are fixed on a sliding support 28 which rests on the upper surface 36 of the head 3|. The sliding support 29 is provided with aligned apertures through which the countershaft 32 extends. A

Worm pinion 33 is keyed for rotation with the drive shaft 32 but is free to move axially therealong. A key (not shown) carried by the worm pinion 33 slides in an elongated keyway 34 provided in the drive shaft 32. Means (not shown) are provided for preventing axial motion of the worm pinion 33 with respect to the sliding support 29. A worm wheel 31 fixed to the shaft 21 is driven from the worm pinion 33. The drive shaft 32 is rotatably supported in spaced bearings 35 carried on the head 3| and receives power through a pair of bevel gears 36 and 36a. From this description it will be understood that rotation of the drive shaft 32 serves to rotate the drive rollers 26.

Means are provided on the head 3| for adjusting the spacing of the rollers 26, and as shown in the drawings this means includes an adjusting screw 38 having right-hand threads 33 on one end and left-hand threads 46 on the other. Each of the sliding supports 26'is provided with a downwardly extending internally threaded element 4I which threadedly engage the screw 38. One end of the screw 38 is provided with a squared head 42 to which a suitable .wrench (not shown) may be applied for turning companion bevel gear 5I which is xed on the jack shaft 52. As shown clearly in Figure 7, the jack shaft 52 extends under a plurality of power driven roller units I2 and receives power from motor 53 operating through a drive chain 54. Bearings 55 are provided on each of the bases 46 for supporting the jack shaft 52.

The swivel mounting of the head 3| on the base 46in each of the'power driven roller units I2 enables the drive rollers 26 to be canted at any desirable degree for effecting axial movement of the rotating pipe supported and driven by the rollers. Since the vertical shaft 41 is positioned on the axis of the cylinder 43 the head 3| can be swung at any desired position for canting the rollers without interfering with the power drive for rotating the rollers. Means are provided for shifting each of the heads 3| simultaneously, and as shown in the drawings this means includes a control rod 56 having a plurality of clevises 51 fixed thereto. A link 58 pivotally connects each clevis to a pair of ears 59 provided on each head 3|. The control rod 56 is slidably mounted on a framework 6B and its position may be adjusted lengthwiseby means of a hand wheel 6| having internal threads which engage the threaded end 62 of the rod 56. The hand wheel is conned between thrust elements 63 provided on the frame 66. Whenthe hand wheel 6| is turned each of the heads 3| of the power driven roller assemblies is shifted so that the drive rollers may be simultaneously canted at any desiredV position. It will be understood that the greater the angle of cant the'faster the pipe is fed axially for the same speed of rotation.

The power driven roller unit 64 which is adjacent the coating and wrapping zone I4 is arranged to be retracted when necessary to permit the intermediateV carriage I5 to pass by along the rails I8. This power driven roller unit 64 is provided -with a swivel head 65. The power driven rollers 26 on this'head are substantially the same as those described in connection with the power driven roller units I2, and they are driven in substantially the same manner. A screw 38 is provided for adjusting'the rollers 26 toward and away from each other as described above. The head 65 is mounted for turning movement relative to a supporting piston 66 and a link 61 connects the head 65 with the next adjacent power driven roller unit I2 so that the head 65 is shifted simultaneously with the heads 3l whenever the hand wheel 6| is turned. The piston 66 is received within a cylinder 61 and an air pipe 68 communicates with the lower end of the cylinder so that the piston 66 may be raised and lowered. A slot 63 formed in the side of the piston 66 provides clearance for the horizontal shaft 16 which drives the vertical shaft 1I through a pair of bevel gears 12 and 13. The bevel gear 12 is keyed for rotation with the shaft 1| but is free to slide axially with respect thereto. A chain 14 enables the shaft 16 to be driven fromrthe, jack; shaft; 52o. When: air, pressure; is suppiiedztd the pipe.' .Sfthefpiston Efis: elevated tol bringfthe: rol'lerssv intdfthe operativesposition shown irl-Figure 11;. When: the air pressure is exhausted-'from therlovver end. of. thev cylinderzt the;v piston; 66; andy power driven,- roller. unit 6.4

descend. by gravity.l to an inoperative position as shown: in Figure.r 11,1.,andeinY this-.retracted inoperativeposition;theintermediatevcarriage I may roll freelvjjalongl therails lillA unobstructedbythe unit 6.4;v

The coating and Wrapping Zone generally designated-v I4'- may take any preferred orA desirable; form.- andY any suitable coatingf'substances. and wrappngs; maybe applied as desired. For; pur.` poses: of illustrationI Ii haveshown twoaxially spaced; tar;v streams; and'v TB which: issue. from theorices provided in they ends. of. the; heated. reservoirs 'FIv and '|8:j respectively:v TheaY first streaml of' hot; tar falls on the bare pipe andV ar` continuous strip: of suitable material, such. as, for

example, cellophane. I9` is appliedy over the firstooating' off tar. The secondtar stream. 'IB descende. on.. the: cellophane.- wrapping and: isy itself coveredy by anotherv suitablefwrappingf for example. a continuous stripofztarpaperv; The cellophaneflg and tar paperl mirare, suppliedfrom suitable coils.. or* drums' (not shown).- and are caused to be wrapped spirallyonthe pipe as'the pipe; is.turned:andprogressed axially. A tar pit ,l

8| is` positioned. to; receive excess tar from the streams 'I5 and 16, and suitable guards 82 maybe. providedat-.the sides, of the vpitto prevent.splashing: of 'tar-upon operators off. the. machine.-4 Tar reaching: theypitel is recirculatedto the heated reservoirs I-I' and ISS by means ofI a suitable pump 83: and-piping-connections 84=.

The intermediate carriage I5 is providedwith aI frame havingagpair or parallel longitudinal members; '8.5i joinedi by,v cross-members 86). Each of@ the-.longitudinal members. is provided with, a pair ofv hanged yWheels 8?!- vvhich roll; on the rails |18..y Sliding blocks 88= and 89 aremounted for transverse movement on the; cross-members 86 and each of theseblocks carries. ar pair of idler rollers 90 andf'SIf respectively.r As shown clearly in Figure 4 therollers 5ML-and. 9|' are-not parallel., but; on theY contrary are mounted at an ang-le with respect to av plane normal to the pipe axis. The rollers Qfareconnected by--a universaljointrSZ, so that they rotatefat thel same speed. Similarly,

the rollers 8|' arezconnected.. by a universal joint Y 93; so that they rotate at the-same-speed. A` disk 94. iswmountedori-the universalA joint `91.. andv is positioned,centrallyhbetween the rollers 9|.. This disk rotatesin a plane normal to the pipe axis,

Means are'provided for movingy theA rollers 9|, toward and ayvayfrom. the rollers 90,. and.- as shownin the drawii'igsy this means includes a pair of screw elements 95y and 9|5, each of. which is provided with a. right-hand. threaded portion 8l and aloft-hand. threaded portionz 918,. `One end ofY each of these screw elements projectsthroug-h one of the parallel longitudinal-members 85, and. he.- projecting end is squared as shown at SE1-.to receive a wrench (not shown). The other. ends of the elements 95 and. 95. project. throughthe other longitudinall member 85. and are provided with sprockets |80 and Ill-L connected by aV chain |82. vided` with two pairs of nuts ID3 Which are restrained from rotation and. are anchored with respect tothe blocks. These nuts receive-the threaded portions of the screw elementsyliV and S6 so that'` rotation of; they screw elements moves Each of the sliding blocks 88 and is prothe blocks.- 88 anddtoward and.. away,` from each.

other@ The. purpose in,l this adjustment. is. to enable thezrol-lers Stand. QI to accommodate pipe of? various sizes.. The. mounting forv izherollers.` 90: andv 9| may include. fluid. containing recesses 88e into which the rollers dip as theyy turn.. rlhe fluid; for example; Water, keepstherollerscool and; prevents undesirable. adhesion. of.' tanto; thev roller surface. 1

The intermediate. carriage I5: supports.v theforward; end'of thebarepipe and the rearward.' end ofthe. pipe being wrapped as the pipes and carriage. |:5` move axially toward the coating and Wrapping'zone lll. As the-carriageV |-5:approaches the iii-st tar stream 'Iii` thevalve plate I?)V enters thechannel' I afi-preparatory. to cuttingfo' the l'ow. ofi tar lfrom the oriceZiL Thefvalve'plate I9.- is supported.' on the carriage I5 by means of a; pair of upright: posts Which are welded orf otherwise secured to the sliding bloclcil!)` `The valve plate |18. is connected by meansof'pinsf |06 to clevi'ses |01 carried on. the extending ends of' rods |88. The rods extend through compression springs I-Iili which` are confined'- between 'the clevises |07 andaguide carrier IIB. The rods lll'extendl through suitable openingsin the guide carrier I| il and are provided with stop pins at their projecting ends to limit the travvelfofA the rods under influenceV of the springs |109; The guidecarrier III) is supported on the upright posts Eid-by means of hinged brackets |2- which are connected' by hinge pins ||-3L to the bracket H41. This-bracket is provided-with spaced aper-v tures |-If5 `for reception of the posts; |05.; Set screwsV Ils are provided for clamping the guide carrier Iii? with respect to the hinged brackets I |21 The construction. just described permitsthe valve platev |9ito pressresiliently into the 'channel I4 for eiective shut-01T of the now of tar when desired, and also'enables. the assemblyV including the-'valve plate I9.; rods |035, and guidel carrier. IIB to be pivoted about the pivot pins I |3to tilt the assembly .to an inoperative position on return movement ofthe carriage I5 to prevent entrance of: the valveplate IS into the-channel' |104.

The nonparallel positioning of. theI rollers. 9|) andBI as shownin Figure 4 serves to. cause .the adjacent ends oi".` the pipes, Ida-nd.; |16.. to. move toward each other and.` to.V abut. against, the separating disk.. 53|..y The pipes. L3. and |15. are in this. way. mainta-ined.V against separat-,ion as the intermediate carriagey I5, rollsy along the; rails; |58. The rollers @il and 9 I. on one side-ofthe separator disk` Fiel arecanted in one direction,y Whilel the rollers` SI1 and. si on. the other side'of1 the-r separator disk. 9.4.. arecantedfin the other` direction.

The. power drivenleadingcarriage supports the forwardr endof thefforwardpipe and' supplies power for rotating it. As best shown mFigure 1'3 this leading carriage Il'` is provided with power driven anged- Wheelsv I-IlIa and idler Wheels; ||5 rolling on the rails ||l-Y A motor H6 driving through a change-speed belt. transmission. |'|1 turns. apower shaft H8.. This shaft H8" drives thefrollersv IUIa through' the-shaft. Sfby. Way: of chain. |20, andv this shaft IIB alsodrives the'jack shaft. |.2.| throughchain |227. Worm pinions '|23 xedonthe-jackshaft I2 |Y drive Wormfwheels |24 iixed on shafts |25f and |25 respectively: The shaftl|25 carriesthe. dri-ving roller |121- and= the shaft. |25 carries the driving roller |28; The shafts |25. and.v |25 are each carriedonaqsliding, block'. assembly so that. the rollers, |21.. and |28 maybemovedftoivard and awayfrom each other.

As shown in the drawings, a screw element |29 having a right-hand and left-hand threaded portion cooperates with nuts on the sliding blocks for adjusting the transverse spacing of the rollers |21 and |28. A disk |30 is xed on the shaft |26 and is adapted to contact the leading end of the forward pipe. Power supplied by the motor I I6 serves to move the carriage I1 forward along the rails I8 as well as to supply power for rotating the drive rollers |21 and |28. The speed of the motor may be controlled so that the carriage I1 moves forward at a relatively slow rate while the pipe is being wrapped and then moves at a faster rate to bring the pipe adjacent the storage rack II after the wrapping operation upon that pipe length is complete. The motor I6 is reversible so that the leading carriage I1 may be returned along the rails to support the forward end of the next pipe which is passing through the coating and wrapping zone I4.

Means are provided for ejecting a completely wrapped pipe from its supported position on the carriages I1 and I5 onto the storage rack II. As shown in the drawings this means includes a lever I3I pivoted to the leading carriage I1 by means of the pin |32. An air cylinder |33 mounted on the carriage I1 has a projecting rod |34 which may be extended to lift the end |35 of the lever I3I. Such movement of the lever causes the pipe to be raised off the rollers |21 and |28 so that it may roll laterally along the lever I3I to the storage rack II. A similar pvoted lever |36 is provided on the intermediate carriage I5 and is connected thereto by means of the pivot pin |31. Power for lifting the lever |36 is supplied by a power cylinder |38 carried o-n a frame |39 below the rails I8. When the intermediate carriage I rolls to a position above the location of. the power cylinder |38, air pressure is supplied which causes the piston rod |40 to -be extended and raise the sliding plate I4| into contact with the underside of the lever |36, thereby elevating it so that the pipe is raised clear of the rollers 90 and 9| and allowingthe pipe to roll along the inclined lever onto the storage rack I I.

The operation of the pipe wrapping machine is shown diagrammatically in Figures 15 to 19. The bare pipe I3 is rotated and caused to move axially forward by means of the power driven roller units I2. The forward end of the bare pipe I3 is carried on the rollers of the intermediate carriage I5 and abuts the separator disk 94. The rearward end of the pipe I6 being wrapped also rests on the rollers of the intermediate carriage I5 and abuts the separator disk 94. The forward end of the pipe I6 rests on the forward carriage I1. The rollers of the forward carriage I1 rotate the pipe I6 and the forward carriage I1 is driven along the rails I 8 so that the pipe I6 moves forward at the same speed as the pipe I3. The coating and wrapping operation proceeds as the pipes I3 and I6 turn and move axially along the rails |8. The valve plate I9 stops the flow of the tar stream 15 just before the tar stream reaches the rearward end of the pipe I6, and therefore the rearward end remains bare. The valve plate I9 shuts off the tar stream 15 until the forward end ofthe pipe I3 has passed under the reservoir 11. As the plate I9 moves along with the intermediate carriage I5 the tar stream 15 is again permitted to flow so that the pipe I3 is coated with tar from a point spaced axially from the forward end thereof. The same action takes place whereby the valve plate I9 shuts off the flow of the tar stream 16 so that no tar is deposited adjacenty the ends of the pipes I6 andAI3. The wrapping operation continues uninterrupted until two strips 19 and 80 sequentially reach the position of the separator disk 94 which has a sharpened edge. The wrapping strips are each cut at such time and are re-applied manually to the pipe I3 as soon as the carriage I5 has passed beyond the region of application of the wrapping strips. The rotation and axial movement of the pipe, however, continues uninterrupted.

When the carriage I5y passes beyond the position at which the second wrapping strip is applied the retractible roller head 64 is elevated to form a support for the pipe I3. The leading carriage I1 is then speeded up in its movement along the railsrl so that the wrapped pipe I6 moves away from the pipe I3 until its ends are opposite the storage racks II. The power cylinders |38 and |33 are then energized to raise the pivoted levers |36 and |3I respectively to lift the pipe I6 off the supporting rollers and permit it to roll laterally onto the storage racks II. While the pipe I6 is being transported at a relatively fast rate along the rails I8 to the position of the storage rack, and while it is being ejected from the carriages I5 and I1, the pipe I3 continues its uniform rotation and axial movement imparted by the power operated roller units I2 and 64. The coating and wrapping operation proceeds on the forward end of the pipe I3 while the pipe I6 is being discharged onto the storage rack.

When the pipe I6 has been transferred to the storage rack the carriage I5 is pushed manually vback along the rails I8 to a position over the tar pit 8|. The plate I9 is swung upwardly to an inoperative position about the hinge pins II 3 so that neither of the tar streams 15 or 16 is interrupted.v The power driven leading carriage I1 is returned along the rails I8 under power to position the rollers thereon under the forward end of the pipe I3. If necessary the power ldriven roller head 64 can be elevated slightly so that the forward end 'of the pipe I3 clears the drive rollers on the carriage I1. The forward end of the pipe I3 strikes the disk |30 and the head 64 is then lowered so that the pipe rests on the rollers |21, |28. The motor IIB on the carriage I1 is then operated to cause the carriage I1 to move to the right while the rollers |21 and |28 assist in rotating the pipe I3. The head 64 is then retracted tothe inoperative position shown in Figure 15. The rollers and 9| on the intermediate carriage are then moved away from each other by turning one of the screw elements or 96. The intermediate carriage I5 is then rolled to the left against the stop |42 atthe end of the rails I8. The rollers 9|) and 9| in their widely spaced positions do not contact the pipe and hence clearance is provided so that the carriage I5 rolls without contacting the pipe or the wrapping materials. It will be understood that during the interval of transferring the wrapped pipe I6 to the storage rack and return o-f the carriages I5 and I1, the pipe I3 continues its rotation and axial movement while the tar streams 15 and 1E are deposited thereon and while the strips 19 and 80 are wrapped around it.

When the intermediate carriage I5-has been moved to the left of the retractible power driven roller unit 64 as viewed in Figure 17, the unit 64 is again elevated to support the pipe and to assist in rotating it and moving it axially. When the rearward end of the pipe I3 approaches the position lshown in Figure 18 the rollers Si) and t9| on the intermediate vcarriage i5 are moved toward each other to bring them into Contact vwith the pipe i3. At the same time the separator disk 94 is moved between the abutting ends of the pipe i3 land the followingpipelSa. When the rearward end of the pipe i3 is supported by the 'carriage 'rollers /9'U and 9i the power driven headii is retracted so that the carriage then rolls along the rails t3 toward `the tar pit SL The sequence of operations is then repeated.

From the above description it will be under- `stood that the bare pipe is rst rotated by the power driven roller units t2, andV then by the units 12 and the unit '64. When the forward `end of the pipe is rested on the rollers of the vleading `carriage -Il the rotation -is effected by the power driven rollers on the carriage l 1 and'by the power ldriven rollers on the units i2 and dit. When the rearward end of the pipe is carried on the intermediate carriage f the power driven rollers |27 and |28 on the leading carriage l'i supply all of the power for turning the pipe and for progressing it axially. Bare lengths of pipe are fed serially into position from the supply rack Hl at regular intervals and the power driven roller units l2 advance the pipe continuously without interruption. Coated pipe lengths with the ends bare and uncoated are deposited at regular intervals on the storage rack il, but the coating and wrapping process is uninterrupted while bare pipe lengths are added `and coated fpipe lengths are withdrawn.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the 'details herein set forth, butmy invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

Iclalm:

l. In a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of: roller means operating to support and rotate apipe and to progress itin an'axial direction, "means positioned at a fixed location along the path of axial vmovement of the pipe for apply- 4ing a protective coating to the pipe as it moves axially, said roller means being operable continuously to progress pipes at la uniform rate serially in end-to-end relation past Asaid coating means, axially movable carriage means for rotatably supporting a pipe while lit is being coated, means for Amoving the carriage means ata rate faster than said uniform rate to move a coated pipe away from a following pipe being coated, and without varying the uniform `rate "of axial movement of the following pipe.

2. In a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of `a plurality of power driven rollerunits 'cooperating to support and rotate a pipe and to progress itin an axial direction, means positioned iat a xed location along the path of axial Ymovement of the pipe for applying a protective 'coating to vthe pipe as it moves axially, said roller units being operable continuously to progress pipes at a uniform rate serially in end-'to-'e'nd relation past said coating means, axially movable carriage means for rotatably supporting a pipe 'while it is being coated, means for moving the carriage means at a rate faster rthan said uniform rate to move a coated pipe away from a 'following pipe being coated, and without varying the uniform rate of axial movement of the following pipe.

3. In a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of roller means operating to support and `rotate va pipe and'to progress it in an axial direction, means positioned atea fixed rlocation lalong the path-of axial 'movement of the pipe yfor 'applyf "ing 4a protective coating to the pipe Las it vmoves axially, said roller means being operable continuously to progress pipes at a uniform-rate `rserially lin end-"to-end relation past said coating means,

axially movable carriage means for rotatably supporting a pipe while it is being coated, shutoif means supported bythe carriage means for arresting operation of the `coating means when adjacent 'ends of a leading and following pipe vpass thereby, means for moving the carriage means at a rate faster than said uniform yrate Atomove the coated pipe away from the following `pipe being coated, and without varying the uniform irate of axial movement of the following pipe.

'4. In a pipe wrapping machine, the combinaltion of: va plurality of power driven roller units Jcooperating to support and rotate a pipeand to relation past said vcoating means, axially movable carriage means for rotatably supporting a 'pipe while it is being coated, shut-off means supported bythe carriage Ameans for arresting operation of the coating means when adjacent ends of a'le'ading and following pipe pass thereby, means for moving'the carriage means at a rate faster'than said uniform rate to move the coated pipe away from the following pipe being coated, and without Varying the uniform rate of axial'moveinent ofthe following pipe.

5. In a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of: rollermeans operating to support and rotate a pipe and to progress it in an axial direction, means positioned at a fixed location along the path of axial movement of the pipe for applying a protective coating to the pipe as it moves axially, said roller means being operable continuously to progress pipes at a uniform rate serially in end-to-end relation past said coating means, axially movable 'carriage means for rotatably supporting a 'pipe while it is :being coated, thev carriage means including a carriage rotatably supporting the vrearward end of a leading pipe and the forward end of a following pipe, shut-olf means on the carriage for arresting operation of the `coating means when the carriage passes the coating means, means for moving the carriage means at a rate faster than said uniform rate to move the leading pipe away from the following pipe, and without varying the uniform rate of axial movement of the following pipe.

6.In a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of: roller means operating to support and rotate a pipe and to progress it in an axial direction, rails extending axially of the pipe, means positioned at a xed location along the path of axial movement of the pipe for applying a protective coating to the pipe as it moves axially, said roller means being operable continuously to progress pipes at a uniform rate serially in end-toend relation past said coating means, axially movable carriages on the rails for rotatably supporting `a Ipipe while it is being coated, one 'of the carriages rotatably supporting the forward end of a leading pipe, another carriage rotatably supporting' the rearward end of the leading .pipe and the forward end of a following pipe, shut-off means on the second mentioned carriage for arresting operation of the coating means when adjacent ends of the leading and following pipes pass the coating means, the carriages being movable along the rails when desired at a rate faster than said uniform rate to move the coated pipe away from the following pipe, and without varying the uniform rate of axial movement of the following pipe.

7. In a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of: a plurality of power driven roller units cooperating to support and rotate a pipe and to progress it in an axial direction, rails extending axially of the pipe, a leading carriage movable along the rails and provided with rollers for supporting the forward end of a leading pipe, an intermediate carriage movable along said rails and having a first pair of rollers for supporting the rearward end of said leading pipe and a second pair of rollers for supporting the leading end of a following pipe, means positioned at a xed location with respect to said rails for applying a protective coating to the pipes as they move axially, and means on the intermediate carriage for interrupting the action of the coating means when the intermediate carriage passes the location of the coating means whereby a short length of each pipe adjacent the abutting ends remains uncoated.

8. In a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of; a plurality of power driven roller units cooperating to support and rotate a pipe and to progress it in an axial direction, rails extending axially of the pipe, a leading carriage movable along the rails and provided with power driven rollers for supporting the forward end of a leading pipe and for rotating it, an intermediate carriage movable along said rails and having a first pair of idler` rollers for supporting the rearward end of said leading pipe and a second pair of idler rollers for supporting the leading end of a following pipe, means positioned at a fixed location with respect to said rails for applying a protective coating to the pipes as they move axially, and means on the intermediate carriage for interrupting the action ofthe coating means when the intermediate carriage passes the location of the coating means whereby a short length of each pipe adjacent the abutting ends remains uncoated.

9. In a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of a plurality of power driven roller units cooperating to support and rotate a pipe and to progress it in an axial direction, rails extending axially of the pipe, a leading carriage movable along the rails and provided with power driven rollers for supporting the forward end of a leading pipe and for rotating it, an intermediate carriage movable along said rails and having a first pair of rollers for supporting the rearward end of said leading pipe and a second pair of rollers for supporting the leading end of a following pipe, the first and second pairs of rollers being connected for rotation as a unit, and means positioned at a xed location with respect to said rails for applying a protective coating to the pipes as they move axially.

' 10. In a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of: a plurality of power driven roller units cooperating to support and rotate a pipe and to progress it in an axial direction, rails extending axially of the pipe, a leading carriage movable along the rails and provided with rollers for supporting the forward end of a leading pipe, an intermediate carriage movable along said rails and having a rst pair of rollers for supporting the rearward end of said leading pipe and a second pair of rollers for supporting the leading end of a following pipe, and means positioned at a fixed location with respect to said rails for applying a protective coating to the pipes as they move axially.

11. In a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of z a plurality of power driven roller units cooperating to support and rotate a pipe and to progress it in an axial direction, a carriage supported to move axially and having supporting rollers contacting the pipe near the leading end thereof, the carriage having additional supporting rollers for contacting another pipe near the rearward end thereof, the supporting rollers on the carriage for each of the pipes connected for dependent rotation and being canted so that the adjacent ends of the pipes tend to move toward each other, and a separator disk rotatably supported on the carriage contacted by the said adjacent ends of the pipes.

12. In a carriage for a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of: a frame supported to move axially and having a pair of supporting rollers for contacting a leading pipe near the rearward end thereof, the frame having an additional pair of supporting rollers for contacting a following pipe near the forward end thereof, the supporting rollers on the carriage for each of the pipes being canted so that the adjacent ends of the pipes tend to move toward each other when the pipes are rotated in the same direction, and a separator disk rotatably supported on the carriage for engagement by the adjacent ends of the pipes.

13. In a carriage for a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of a frame supported to move axially and having a pair of supporting rollers for contacting a leading pipe near the rearward end thereof, the frame having an additional pair of supporting rollers for contacting a following pipe near the leading end thereof, the supporting rollers on the carriage for each of the pipes being canted so that the adjacent ends of the pipes tend to move toward each other, means including a universal joint connecting one roller of each pair for dependent rotation, means including a second universal joint for connecting the other roller of each pair for dependent rotation, and a separator disk rotatably supported on the carriage for engagement by the adjacent ends of the pipes.

14. In a carriage for a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of: a frame supported to move axially and having a pair of supporting rollers for contacting a leading pipe near the rearward end thereof, the frame having an additional pair of supporting rollers for contacting a following pipe near the leading end thereof, the supporting rollers on the carriage for each of the pipes being canted so that the adjacent ends of the pipes tend to move toward each other, means including a universal joint connecting one roller of each pair for dependent rotation, means including a second universal joint for connecting the other roller of each pair for dependent rotatiomand a separator disk mounted'on one of said universal joints for engagement by the adjacent ends of the pipes.

15. In a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of: an axially movable leading carriage for rotatably supporting the forward end of a leading pipe, an axially movable intermediate carriage having supporting rollers for contacting a'coaxial following pipe near the leading end thereof,

the intermediate carriage having additional supporting rollers for contacting the leading pipe near the rearward end thereof, a plurality of power driven roller units cooperating to support and rotate the following pipe and to progress it in an axial direction, the supporting rollers on the intermediate carriage for each of the pipes being canted so that the adjacent ends of the pipes tend to move toward each other when the pipes are rotated in the same direction, and a separator disk rotatably supported on the intermediate carriage for engagement by the said adjacent ends of the pipes.

16. In a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of: an axially movable leading carriage for rotatably supporting the forward end of a leading pipe, an axially movable intermediate carriage having supporting rollers for contacting a coaxial following pipe near the leading end thereof, the intermediate carriage having additional supporting rollers for contacting the leading pipe near the rearward end thereof, a plurality of power driven roller units cooperating to support and rotate the following pipe andl to progress it in an axial direction, the supporting rollers on the intermediate carriage for each of the pipes being canted so that the adjacent ends of the pipes tend. to move toward each other, said supporting rollers being operatively connected for dependent rotation, and a separator disk rotatably supported on the intermediate carriage for engagement by the said adjacent ends of the pipes.

17. In a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of: a plurality of power driven roller units cooperating to support and rotate a pipe and to progress it in an axial direction, each of the roller units including a head supported on a base. a pair of laterally spaced pipe contacting rollers rotatably mounted on the head, drive means for turning said rollers, including a power shaft extending radially of the pipe, swivel means connecting the head and base so that the head may swivel about the axis of Said drive shaft, and linkage means connecting the heads for dependent swiveling movement.

18. In a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of: a plurality of power driven roller units cooperating to support and rotate a pipe and to progress it in an axial direction, each of the roller units including a head supported on a base, a pair of laterally spaced pipe contacting rollers rotatably mounted on the head, drive means for turning said rollers, including a power shaft extending radially of the pipe, swivel means connecting the head and base so that the head may vswivel about the axis of said drive shaft, and

means including linkage means connecting the heads for simultaneously swiveling each of the heads relative to its respective base.

19. In a -pipe wrapping machine. the combination of: a plurality of power driven roller units cooperating to support and rotate a pipe and to progress itin an axial direction, means positioned at a xed location along the path of axial movement of the pipe for applying a protective coating to the pipe as it moves axially, said roller units being operable continuously to progress pipes at a uniform rate serially in end-to-end relation past said coating means, axially movable carriage means for rotatably supporting a pipe while it is being coated, means for retracting one of the roller units away from pipe engaging position to provide clearance permitting the carriage vmeans to operate on either side of said roller unit.

20. In a pipe wrapping machinethe combinationof: a plurality of power driven roller units cooperating to support and rotate a pipe and to progress it in an axial direction, means positioned at a xed location along the path of axial movement of the pipe for applying a protective coating to the pipe as it moves axially, said roller units being operable continuously to progress pipes at a uniform rate serially in end-to-end relation past said coating means, an axially movable carriage for rotatably supporting the forward end of a pipe, a roller support for the pipe positioned at a fixed location between the coating means and the power driven roller units, and

means for retracting said roller support from operative position to provide clearance permitting the carriage to move axially on either side of the roller support.

21. In a pipe wrapping machine, the combination of: a plurality of power driven roller units cooperating to support and rotate a pipe and to progress it in an axial direction, railsextending axially of the pipe, a leading carriage movable along the rails and provided with rollers for supporting the forward end of a leading pipe, an

intermediate carriage movable along said rails and having a firsty pair of rollers for supporting the rearward end of said leading pipe and a second pair of rollers for supporting the leading end of a following pipe, means positioned at a fixed location with respect to said rails for applying a protective coating to the pipes as they move axially, a roller support for the pipes positioned at a xed location between the rails and between the coating means and the power driven roller units, and means for retracting said roller support from operative position to provide clearance permitting the intermediate carriage to move on the rails on either side of the roller support.

WAYNE C. HALL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,500,769 Rosener et al July 8, 1924 1,572,258 Wieland et al. Feb. 9, 1926 1,668,265 Christopher May 1, 1928 1,920,932 Finley Aug. 1, 1933 2,044,778 Halstead June 23, 1936 

